Pune: After one year since the first COVID-19 case was reported in Pune on March 9, the number of confirmed cases of novel coronavirus crossed the four-lakh mark, making one the worst coronavirus-hit cities in the country.
On March 9 last year, a couple from Pune who had returned from a Dubai tested positive for novel virus. Their daughter and a taxi driver who had ferried the family from Mumbai Airport to Pune also tested positive for the infection, the next day. The couple was admitted to the PMC (Pune Municipal Corporation) run Naidu Infectious Diseases Hospital and recovered from the infection after some days.
From the first COVID-19 case— to Prime Minister Narendra Modi declaring a ‘Janata curfew’ followed by a vaccination drive, here we track some of the crucial moments (month wise) of the COVID pandemic in Pune.
March 2020 (Total cases-43)
· The first case in Maharashtra was registered from Pune.
· The World Health Organisation declared COVID-19, a pandemic.
· Mandatory screening and testing of the passengers arriving in the city via air.
· Janata Curfew was observed in India.
· Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared nationwide lockdown.
April 2020 (Total cases-1,152)
· The first lockdown started from March 26 completed on April 14.
· India records 1,000 confirmed deaths.
· Demand for PPE kits gone up with prices of N95 also increased.
May 2020 (Total cases-5870)
· Home Ministry extended lockdown for two weeks starting May 4.
· Many patients in Pune faced shortage of beds in various hospitals.
· Plasma therapy was successful at Sassson General Hospital in Pune.
· Maharashtra witnessed four times increase in spread of COVID.
· Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced Tranche 1 of Atmanirbhar package of Rs 5.94 lakh crore.
June 2020 (Total cases-14,964)
· India started Unlock Mission.
· Traditional Palkhi procession was cancelled.
· Private beds reserved for COVID-19 patients in private hospitals in Pune.
July 2020 (Total cases-62,336)
· Pune witnessed shortage of Remdesivir tablets.
· Private hospitals in the city saw huge queues of COVID patients.
· Manufacturing process for COVID-19 vaccine started at Serum Institute.
August 2020 (Total cases-85,459)
· First human trial of COVID-19 vaccine was conducted in Pune.
· Pune also saw sale Remdesivir in black market.
· Pune witnessed crowd during Ganesh Festival amid spread of contagion.
September 2020 (Total cases-1,13,707)
· No procession allowed during Ganesh immersion in Pune.
· Jumbo Hospital for COVID-19 patients was inaugurated.
· Pune became the worst COVID-19 hit city in the country in terms of active cases.
· Shortage of oxygen supply at many hospitals in the city.
October 2020 (Total cases- 39,556)
· Team from the Centre visited Pune. This was their third visit since the pandemic.
· Sassoon Hospital completed one-lakh mark in terms of COVID-19 testing.
· 56 per cent of beds were reserved for COVID-19 patients in hospitals.
November 2020 (Total cases-19,324)
· Cases in Jumbo COVID Centre started reducing.
· Respiratory diseases in this month increased by 40 per cent amid Diwali.
· Information of healthworkers were assimilated for vaccination process.
December 2020 (Total cases-20,078)
· Second wave of COVID-19 expected.
· Serum sought for the approval of emergency use of COVISHIELD vaccine.
· Britain found new coronavirus strain.
January 2021 (Total cases-16,631)
· Genome sequencing started.
· Vaccine delivery was started from Pune.
· Recovery rate in the state went over 95 per cent.
February 2021 (Total cases-28,443)
· Vaccination for frontline workers started in Pune.
· Pune witnessed sudden spike in spread of infection.
· State confirmed no new strain found.
March 2021 (Total cases-12484, till March 8)
· Senior citizens started receiving vaccines.
· PMC (Pune Municipal Corporation) proposed big budget for health sector.
· COVID vaccination centres increased.
